Black tank

Gmward69 · 09-29-2018, 04:58 PM

Hello all. We have a jayco Melbourne 28f . I have recently noticed when we dump the black tank that the digital display does not show that it is empty, when in fact it is. I think that there is toilet paper or something stuck on the sensor. Not too sure what is going on here any ideas On how to get the display to read empty. Thank you all

Greyhawk01 · 09-29-2018, 05:50 PM

Give it a nice long rinse with the black tank flush. That should take care of any dirty sensor issues.

cabinetmaker · 09-29-2018, 06:14 PM

After you dump it put some dawn or pine sol in it with a few gallons of water and go for a drive. Cleans it right up.

I always use pine sol after dumping. Get the original from Dollar store as it still has pine oil in it. It will clean, disinfect and lubricate all your sensors and valve seals.

Never let you tanks sit empty. Any paper or solids will become glued to the sides. Always put a fresh charge and several gallons of fresh water back in the tank.

In the winter add a gallon of RV antifreeze to the water. Never leave it empty!

ALJO · 09-29-2018, 06:41 PM

Don't put to much faith in those displays, it is still the same since the 60's, useless old technology, You will know after awhile the use of the system.

Love To Travel 2 · 09-29-2018, 07:58 PM

On the morning that we are heading home from a trip, I always give the black tank more service than normal. I'll dump and flush four or five times instead of the normal three. When I flush, I close the valve and let the black tank fill partially then open the valve and dump everything. I hate to waste water, but if you don't properly clean the tank, and flush, flush, flush, you will have problems.

After five flush cycles at the end of our last trip, the water was running perfectly clear, so I was happy with the results. As Cabinetmaker wrote, I always add Pine Sol or laundry detergent or dish detergent, or a combination thereof with 4 gallons of water and let it slosh around in the tank on the way home. The trip home was less than 200 miles and for some unknown reason, instead of keeping the solution in the tank until the next excursion, I dumped the tank when we got home. Needless to say I was surprised at what I saw coming from my black tank. I expected more clear water, but it definitely wasn't. So even though I thought I got it all, there was more there. So now I'll do one more flush when we arrive at home.

Gmward69 · 10-07-2018, 10:45 AM

Thank you all for your knowledge. It worked and we got the black tank to read Empty. Yay

oldmanAZ · 10-07-2018, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gmward69

Thank you all for your knowledge. It worked and we got the black tank to read Empty. Yay

, but WAIT

What did you try that worked for you?

Some of us are dedicated 'black tank flushers' and keep water in the black tank and have little or no success with chemicals to get the sensors to read correctly. Inquiring minds want to know...

Greyhawk01 · 10-08-2018, 01:32 AM

I also heard that flushing some crushed ice down the toilet just before driving away gives the black tank a good scrubbing. I never tried this myself though.

Thomson · 10-08-2018, 03:02 AM

We have been using a product named Tank Tech, Before using we flushed, flushed, and flushed the tank through the toilet. Then ran the tank flush for about 15 minutes. Afterwards we added about 2 ounces of Tank Tech and topped off with about 1/2 tank. Let it sit until we went camping. Drove about 300 miles, parked, finished filling the tank, did the dump and flush. Sensors all showed empty For the first time that I can remember! Still using the stuff and occasionally dump it into gray water with same good results. No I'm just a camper with no ties to the product.

JohnWedell · 10-08-2018, 06:08 AM

I often wonder where they place the nozzle for the black tank flusher. If they place it on the same side as the sensors it may not clean them. I think the optimum placement would be opposite the sensors so the stream of water hits them and cleans any gunk off the sensors.

Gmward69 · 10-11-2018, 09:47 PM

Sorry about that. I just keep flushing the toilet and filled up the tank and also added about 2 cups of pinesole. It now reads E when tank is dumped.

oldmanAZ · 10-11-2018, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnWedell

I often wonder where they place the nozzle for the black tank flusher. If they place it on the same side as the sensors it may not clean them. I think the optimum placement would be opposite the sensors so the stream of water hits them and cleans any gunk off the sensors.

I wonder, too. IMO, it's a crap

shoot regarding the flush water spray pattern and tank sensor placement. If so, that would explain why flushing the tank works well for some, but not others.

JohnWedell · 10-12-2018, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

I wonder, too. IMO, it's a crap

shoot regarding the flush water spray pattern and tank sensor placement. If so, that would explain why flushing the tank works well for some, but not others.

I also wonder where they mount the nozzle for the black tank flush. is the water stream hitting the sensors to clean them or do they mount it in such a way that the sensors never get touched by the spray.

che57vy · 10-12-2018, 08:17 AM

Never trusted tank sensor did as others with Pinesol, I guess it not the best test but I sometimes take a flashlight open foot valve and do a visual inspection that will tell you how full it is for sure

Rusty Nuts · 10-17-2018, 01:26 PM

I agree with Aljo and some of the others, the sensors are old technology and hardly ever read correctly, black water, gray water, fresh water, it doesn't matter. You will get to know how far off your readout is over time anyway. When you flush the black tank just look at the color of the water coming out of the tank (using a clear plastic flush elbow) and you will be able to see if it is clean.

RetiredLEO · 10-17-2018, 04:51 PM

The new generation of sensors. When we order new in a couple of years will have the dealer install these:
https://www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/

Robbbyr · 10-18-2018, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredLEO

The new generation of sensors. When we order new in a couple of years will have the dealer install these:
https://www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/

I installed the SeeLevel system myself and it is great. Depending on the unit labor could be significant. I can only fathom what a dealer would charge!

RetiredLEO · 10-18-2018, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbbyr

I installed the SeeLevel system myself and it is great. Depending on the unit labor could be significant. I can only fathom what a dealer would charge!

Like everything associated to RV's

I have a Bro In Law who's good at const. and electrical...........might be a alternative to the dealer install

Leaning towards a Entegra Odyssey............might have to work it into the final price.

mcadeb · 10-18-2018, 06:48 AM

I put about 3 lbs of ice down toilet after dumping (which may not go down right away) along with gallon of water. It will slosh around and break loose anything obstructing sensors. This has worked well for me.

2edgesword · 10-18-2018, 07:53 AM

After a couple of trips I got a feel for how long we could go without dumping the gray and black tanks so I don't rely on the sensors. Given all I've read about them they are about as useful as fuel gauges on motorcycles and Cessna's.

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